Antarctica: Beyond The Southern Ocean

by Colin Monteath

Antarctica covers ten per cent of the world's surface, an area equal to the whole of the U.S. and Mexico combined. Surprisingly, its unique ecosystem supports one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in the world, and it is an increasingly popular destination for eco-tourists, having had almost 40,000 visitors last year. Updated from a previous edition, Antarctica provides a panoramic view of the continent. Life on the Fringe covers the sub-Antarctic islands of South Georgia, the Falklands, the South Sandwich Islands, as well as islands south of Australia and New Zealand; Earth the Ice Planet surveys Antarctica's great ice cover, from ice sheets, ice shelves and glaciers to spectacular icebergs in the Southern Ocean; A Slippery Path traces human activity from the huts of the early explorers to contemporary scientific bases, tourism, mountaineering, polar yachting and the impact of all these on the environment; Wild and Free examines the unique life cycles and adaptive behavior of Antarctica's wildlife. Antarctica provides not only breathtaking pictures of this great continent, but also gives a wealth of information about its history, its wildlife, and the politics which surround it.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up when I visited the Antarctic in 1997. If you have determined that this destination is not going to be on your travel plans in the near future, but have an interest or curiosity about remote places, this book might save you on your travel budget. It's pictures capture the spirit and beauty of this part of the world. The text is basic, but includes a good summary of the hazards that mankind is creating for this fragile environment and a perspective of the continent. When I returned from my visit to Antartica I had a Wall Street type ask "Why would you ever go to Antartica"? I thought for a moment and just walked away. If he didn't know or understand, there was nothing that I could say that would allow him to understand the adventure.